A person washes vegetables in this illustrative photo.
The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) urged families to improve their health by maintaining balanced home-cooked meals, highlighting the role of family meals in promoting nutrition and emotional connection.
A healthy meal should include four main food groups: carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
According to HCDC, increasing the daily intake of fruits and vegetables to at least 400 grams, in line with WHO guidance, is essential for long-term health, while the current national average remains at just 231 grams.
The agency recommended adding a variety of colorful vegetables to meals to boost antioxidants and nutrients, and warned that growing reliance on processed foods and repetitive diets has led to nutritional imbalances and waste.
To keep meals nutritious and cost-effective, HCDC advised planning weekly menus, buying seasonal produce in appropriate quantities, using cooking methods such as steaming or boiling, and avoiding reused cooking oil.
Balanced, affordable family meals not only support physical health but also help foster healthy habits and emotional bonds, the agency said.
